-- The Election Committee of the central province Khanh Hoa suggested the National Assembly to allow the locality to organize the election at the island communes of the Truong Sa district on May 15, seven days before schedule.

Society:

-- The construction of the international port Van Phong, which is designed to receive 18,000 TEU ships, has almost come to a halt in June last year for “making geological surveys”. The opening phase of construction was scheduled to complete in October this year.

-- The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has proposed a budget of VND11 trillion (US$524 million) to repair and preserve relics and monuments in the nation for the period 2011-15.

-- Tourists flock to Da Nang in large number during the national festival for commemoration of Hung King -- the founder of the nation. The annual festival is on March 10 on lunar calendar, falling on April 12 this year.

-- Fresh water on rivers Dong Nai and Saigon has been affected with salt water rising. The salt content at some sections of the rivers in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai was measured at 2-6g/liter.

-- Hanoi will have no more flood water on streets and residential areas during showers with rainfall less than 50mm, but the city may exist 23 locations likely submerged during rains with rainfall over 100mm, according to the city’s construction department.

-- Central province Quang Nam is planning to relocate all households living at the foot and hill of Dau Voi mountain after some land fissures appears on the mountain as the rain season is coming next month.

-- Serious violations by trucks with capacity from 2.5 tons or more have come to an alarming rate in Ho Chi Minh City despite they are banned on most of streets in the city.

Business:

-- Vietnam has fallen in a poor crop of cashew harvest this year due to frost and long-lasting drought. It has left farmers falling in debts and cashew nut processing factories in thirst of materials. Vietnam is planned to import 450,000 tons of raw cashew nuts this year from African nations and Indonesia.

-- The prices of many seafood products have increased by 10 – 30% at markets and supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City.

-- Real estate investors in Ho Chi Minh City have offered more promotions including the subsidy of banking interest to increase purchase during the current inflation-hit period.

-- Ho Chi Minh City-based retail chains Co-op Mart will organize 100 trucks to bring goods to sell in remote areas of the city at promotional prices to stimulate consuming.

Sports:

-- English coach Simon McMenemy of Vietnam’s top-flight V-League assured that his side will improve in the coming time and will move up from their current place at the bottom of the ranking table after ten rounds.